Located north of Modena, Novi di Modena is a typical town in the “Bassa” or “Lower” Modena Province. It is of special interest to those drawn to street art!
For lovers of street art, Novi di Modena should definitely be kept in mind. Fascinating artist murals from 2016 and 2017 can be found here, all of them created for the Totart Festival, a series of programs designed to stimulate cultural ferment, create social cohesion, and improve sustainability in one of the places hit hardest by the earthquake in Emilia-Romagna.
Because of the mild local climate, it is best to visit in the spring or fall.
Artists’ Murals
Many works are of interest here, but here’s a brief list of the best known:
All of the murals created for the festival are listed on the website of URBANER (Emilia-Romagna Urban Culture).
To learn more, consult the map on the site.
In addition to such traditional local products as Modena PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, zampone and cotechino (dishes made from a mixture of ground pork flavored with herbs and spices and stuffed into the hollowed-out lower leg of a hog) and traditional dishes such as fresh egg pasta, the area also produces Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, a special type of Lambrusco that is part of the family of PDO (protected designation of origin) Lambrusco wines.
The wine’s name comes from a hamlet of the same name near Carpi. Since ancient times, Santa Croce has been a center for the cultivation of this particular variety of grape.
The Borsari Bird Sanctuary
The Borsari Bird Sanctuary is home to one of the largest colonies of nesting herons in Emilia-Romagna. The Sanctuary’s marshes and wetlands cover some thirteen hectares and are full of wildlife and vegetation. Birds are common here, especially grey herons which, after years, have made the Sanctuary their permanent home.
